What is a thread lift?

Thread lift is a cosmetic procedure that offers a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery.

Thread lifts claim to tighten your skin by inserting medical-grade thread material into your face and then “pulling” your skin up by tightening the thread.

The typical candidate for a thread lift is in their late 30s to early 50s. A person who is generally in good health and is just starting to notice the signs of aging may benefit the most from the subtle impact of a thread lift.

Are there any risks or side effects?

A thread lift is considered a low-risk procedure with minimal recovery time, but there are side effects and a risk of complications.

After a thread lift, it’s not uncommon to experience the following:

  • bruising
  • swelling
  • bleeding
  • slight pain at the site of the thread injection.

There’s a 15 to 20 percent chance of complications, including dimpling. Possible complications are minor and can easily be corrected.

The Top 8 Complications are: 

1. Discomfort and Pain: One of the top most common complaints and reported “complications” is discomfort and pain. While minimally-invasive, thread lift procedures are not entirely pain-free. 

2. Bruising, Swelling and Soreness: Although it is one of the most minimally-invasive procedures there are the market today, patients do some times experience post-procedural bruising, swelling and soreness. If not the most commonly reported complication, it is still one of the top. Nonetheless, most reviews and studies have chose not to define discomfort, pain, bruising, swelling and soreness as complications.

 3. Patient Dissatisfaction: Similar to the classification of discomfort, pain, bruising, swelling and soreness, some studies do not define patient dissatisfaction as a complication, as this is often attributed to the discrepancy between patients’ expectations and actual results.

  4. Hematoma: In rare cases, patients may develop hepatoma when a performing practitioner accidentally injure/damage the wall of a blood vessel causing blood to seep out into the surrounding area during the procedure. In extremely rare cases, permanent immobility can occur if a deep facial nerve is damaged during the procedure. Hematoma and permanent immobility cases are rare and far between, but not impossible. 

5. Infection: Another possible complication that may arise from the performing of a thread lift procedure is infection. Despite it being uncommon, infection associated to the procedure can occur. 

6. Facial Asymmetry: Facial asymmetry is another possible complication that can arise from the performing of thread lift. Facial asymmetry can be caused by various factors such as the use of anaesthetic, inherent facial asymmetry, and/or inadequate lift in one side. 

7. Protrusion, Extrusion and Migration of Threads: Protrusion, extrusion and migration of threads, if any, are often than not due to thread barbs being weak or when an inserted thread overlays an area of aggressive animation. 

8. Dimpling & Irregularities: Dimpling and irregularities can occur in a patient, post-procedure. One of the most common areas of occurrence is in the subcutaneous tissue of a “sunken cheek” and/or in the oral angle areas where there might be excessive facial expressions/movements.

Managing the 8 Possible Complications


 In any procedure, complications can occur. Therefore, it is important for a practitioner to be equipped with the right techniques, skills, knowledge and ability to manage them should they occur.  

1. Discomfort and Pain: As with any aesthetic and cosmetic procedure, minimal discomfort and pain is to be expected. This can be minimised and managed by applying/administering local anaesthesia, if required.

 2. Bruising, Swelling and Soreness: While often not defined as a complication, bruising, swelling and soreness associated with thread lift usually subside over a period of 1 to 2 weeks as the threads eventually dissolve under the skin. A practitioner should recommend patients to ice the affected area and avoid the following, post-procedure; excessive facial movements, sleeping on the face, shaving, using harsh cleansers, strenuous exercise as well as massaging or rubbing the affected area. 

3. Patient Dissatisfaction: Patient dissatisfaction is often not considered as a complication. Yet, it is equally important, if not more so, that patients walk away satisfied. Managing patient satisfaction is crucial and it begins from the minute a patient walks in. It is essential for a practitioner to set realistic expectations with the patient during consultation, help them understand the limits of thread lift and, always under promise, over deliver. 

4. Hematoma: Should, in rare cases, hepatoma occur in patients, it is recommended to prescribe 20mg of Kenalog on the same day.

 5. Infection: The recommended procedure to address infections that may occur is a prescription of Kelfex (or any antibiotics) over a period of 5 days. 

 6. Facial Asymmetry: As facial asymmetry can be caused by various factors such as the use of anaesthetic, inherent facial asymmetry and/or inadequate lift in one side, it is therefore, important to administer the correct amount of anaesthetic pre-procedure. If it does occur post-procedure, assure the patient that the effect is only temporary. Just as equally important, a practitioner should always go through a thorough consultation session with the patient so as to highlight any inherent facial asymmetry to the patient as well as manage expectations pre-procedure. Lastly, should the lift be inadequate for whatever reason, it is the onus of the practitioner to have it rectified as soon as possible. 

7. Protrusion, Extrusion and Migration of Threads: Protrusion, extrusion and migration of threads can be addressed by injecting fillers such as hayluronic acid (HA) in the superficial layer where the suture can be seen. Removal of threads is rarely necessary, but is an option. 

 8. Dimpling & Irregularities: Dimpling and irregularities management is perhaps the most complicated. Therefore, it is more important to prevent than to correct. To prevent dimpling and irregularities, ensure that dimpling is removed during the procedure and before cutting the threads. Inserting the threads into a slightly deeper layer can also be considered. In some cases, HA fillers or additional thread may be required. For extremely rare and severe cases, consider removing the threads.

 Despite all the above possible complications that can result from thread lift, the general consensus is that thread lift procedure is one of the most advanced, minimally-invasive and safest non-surgical procedures. By understanding the cause, effects and right procedures to manage the different possible complications, a practitioner can safely deliver the best results in patients.

 Hope you have enjoyed the article! Stay tuned for our future posts.